Media spacing system for fiber optic cathode ray tube printer

Abstract

A media spacing system for a fiber optic CRT printer. The system has a film coating over the fiber optic portion of the CRT, outside the phosphor display area, which keeps the media a fixed distance from the display area to provide for a uniform display of data on the media. The film may be applied in multiple layers, with each successive layer having a larger size, to create a rounded edge for the coating. A pressure plate is placed on the opposite side of the media from the film coating to keep the media firmly against the film coating. A compliant element, such as foam rubber, attaches the pressure plate to a fixed bracket to allow the pressure plate to adjust for bow and twist of the CRT, while maintaining pressure against the media.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for displacing media a fixed distance from a fiber optic cathode ray tube, said apparatus comprising: a film coating, having a thickness equal to said fixed distance, deposited adjacent to a phosphor display area of a fiber optics bundle of said fiber optic cathode ray tube wherein said film coating does not cover said phosphor display area; and   means for pressing said media against said film coating.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for pressing said media against said film coating further comprises: a mounting bracket located in proximity to said film coating on an opposite side of said media;   pressure plate means located adjacent said media on a side of said media opposite said film coating and located to press said media against said film coating; and   compliant means connecting said pressure plate means to said bracket.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said film coating further comprises: at least one layer applied to said fiber optics bundle of said fiber optics cathode ray tube, wherein a first layer of said at least one layer is applied outside a phosphor display area and wherein each layer subsequent to said first layer is deposited on a previous layer.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each successive layer has a larger surface area than an immediately preceding layer. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said film coating further comprises: a first layer applied to said fiber optics bundle of said fiber optics cathode ray tube, wherein said first layer is applied outside a phosphor display area; and   a second layer applied over said first layer, said second layer having a dimension larger than a dimension of said first layer.   
     
     
       6. A method for displacing media a fixed distance from a fiber optic cathode ray tube, said method comprising the steps of: (a) depositing a film coating adjacent to a phosphor display area of a fiber optics bundle of said fiber optic cathode ray tube, wherein a thickness of said film coating is equal to said fixed distance and wherein said film coating does not cover said phosphor display area; and   (b) pressing said media against said film coating.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: (b1) mounting bracket in proximity to said film coating on an opposite side of said media;   (b2) connecting a compliant material to said bracket; and   (b3) connecting a pressure plate to said compliant material and placing said pressure plate adjacent said media on a side of said media opposite said film coating, said pressure plate being placed to press said media against said film coating.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of: depositing said film coating as at least two layers, wherein a first layer of said at least two layers is applied outside said phosphor display area so as to not cover said phosphor display area and each subsequent layer is deposited on a previous layer.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 wherein each successive layer applied has a larger surface area than an immediately preceding layer. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 6 wherein step (a) further comprises the steps of: (a1) depositing a first layer on a surface of said fiber optics bundle of said fiber optics cathode ray tube, and depositing said first layer outside a phosphor display area of said fiber optics bundle; and   (a2) depositing a second layer over said first layer, said second layer having a dimension larger than a dimension of said first layer.   
     
     
       11. Apparatus for displacing media a fixed distance from a fiber optic cathode ray tube, said apparatus comprising: a film coating, having a thickness equal to said fixed distance, deposited adjacent to a phosphor display area of a fiber optics bundle of said fiber optic cathode ray tube comprising a first layer applied to said fiber optics bundle of said fiber optics cathode ray tube, wherein said first layer is applied outside a phosphor display area so as to not cover said phosphor display area; and   a second layer applied over said first layer, said second layer having a surface area larger than a surface area of said first layer; and     means for pressing said media against said film coating comprising a mounting bracket located in proximity to said film coating on an opposite side of said media,   a pressure plate located adjacent said media on a side of said media opposite said film coating and located to press said media against said film coating, and   compliant material connecting said pressure plate to said bracket.